The Official Magazine of the Ducati Owners Club of the United States
Volume 3 Issue 2 Summer 2005
Things you never knew Ducati made and things that Ducati will probably never make... BMW • Ducati • Triumph Motorcycles of Charlotte http://www.bmw-ducati.com
Sales • Parts • Service • Accessories 12999 East Independence Blvd. Matthews, NC 28105 704.882.6106
Hours Tue-Wed-Thur. 9:00 - 7:00 Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 9:00 - 4:00 Sunday-Monday Closed
Specializing in European Motorcycles & Machining Services SMC Inc. Andy Rounds 408 Plaza Drive Harrisburg, NC 28075 (704) 455-2434 cell: (704) 309-6298 [email protected] Contenuto Features 7 MotoGP Jam . by Jim Calandro 12 The Ducati Guitar by Tom Truskolaski 13 Vintage Motorcycle Days . by Jim Calandro 18 The Flying Duck . by Peter Friedland 20 Darmah Drama Part III . by Craig Hunley 25 Mini Moto 888 . by Mike Porter The USual Suspects 3 Saluti dal capo . Greetings from il Capo 4 Piazza Del Mercato . Classifieds 28 Bench Racing . Tall tales of fact and “friction”
Cover photss by Jim Calandro, Rich Lambrechts, Tom Truskulaski, and Mike Porter.
www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 Greetings from il Capo Here is issue two for 2005. Our goal is to be back on schedule by issue three but not compromise the quality of the magazine. With two editors working on Desmo Leanings we should be able to keep in on schedule. Please continue to submit articles as we can always use them. We are especially looking for humorous articles for the “Bench Racing” section so put on your thinking cap and tell us all about how you made a fool of yourself.
So many things are happening in the world of Ducati it is a full time job to keep up with them. In the last issue we covered the World Presidents Meeting and now in this issue we have the story of Ducati as the featured brand in AMA’s Vintage Motorcycle Days. If you did not make the event you really missed something. The museum alone was worth the trip! There were so many bikes on display that I had never seen it was incredible. Then there were all the pre war products Ducati made Jim Calandro ...... il Capo . that most are not aware of much less seen in person. [email protected] Check out the article and you will see what I mean. Clyde Romero ...... Consigliere . [email protected] Although the year is more than half over there are still Bob Lattanzi ...... Consigliere many club events to think about. If you have not ridden the roads in the SE you really need to come to “Ducks Terry Wyse ...... Consigliere Fly South”. We ride on some of the twistiest roads in David Grogan . . Revisore di Bozze the Smokey Mountains. Traffic is light and the roads John M. Rossi . . .NE Regional Rep. . are smooth. And then there is the food at the wonderful [email protected] Highlands House Inn. There are several other unique Tom Truskolaski . . Redattore Technico . events through out the different regions of the club. [email protected] The best place to keep up to date on track days and events is the web page. Advertisement Rates Size B&W 4/C Process The club is fortunate to have two new individuals vol- Back Cover, Full page . . . . N/A ...... $350 unteer to work to plan events in the Virginia. Cortes Inside Cover, Full page . . . $250 ...... N/A Pauls from the Richmond area and Tom Truskolaski Full page ...... $200 ...... $250 from the Roanoke have agreed to work together with 2/3 page Horizontal . . . . . $150 ...... $200 1/2 page Horizontal . . . . . $125 ...... $175 Ducati Richmond to see what they can come up with. 1/3 page Horizontal . . . . . $100 ...... $150 Some ideas have already been tossed around and if you would like to share an idea feel free to pass it along. The print run is 1500 copies. Contact us for ad specificiations The year is marching on but there is still a lot of riding season left, especially for those members in the South- Ad rate is for four issues east. If you live in a colder part of the US why not make plans to sign up for one of the late season events in the Advertise on the US Desmo web site with a banner ad for only $75 per year. south? US Desmo Incorporated P.O. Box 615 Waxhaw, NC 28173 Jim http://www.usdesmo.com il Capo
The use of information in the Desmo Leanings is entirely the responsibility of the reader. No liability is accepted by the Editors, USDESMO Committee, USDESMO members or contributors to Desmo Leanings for the loss, damage or injury resulting from the direct or indirect use of information in Desmo Leanings and any errors or omissions therein. The views in Desmo Leanings are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Committee of the US DESMO INC. Any reproduction of articles, photos or other such material without the written permission of the Editor or creator is liable to copyright infringement.
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com Piazza del Mercato
1999 Laverda 750 Ghost Strike 2003 Yamaha R6 Track Bike Blue, New Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, 1000 miles. Penske 4 way shock, Traxxion Dynamics forks, Excellent Condition $ 4,000. GMD chassis set-up, Supersport spec motor, Bill Birchfield Sharkskins bodywork, Arata titanium full race Cell 704.617.1835 exhaust, Sprint Pro Race steering damper, 2 sets of wheels w/rotors. Excellent condition. $7,500. Bill Birchfield 704.617.1835 1993 Ducati 888 SPO9800 miles; FBF carbon-fiber exhaust cans and FBF ECU chip (original exhausts included); carbon-fiber front fender (original red included); adjustable brake/clutch levers (originals included). New Michelin Pilot Power tires. Cloth FBF Ducati cover. Complete service performed at BMW-Ducati of Charlotte 2002 Moto Guzzi Lemans 1100 less than 500 miles ago with new belts, valve adjustments, Champagne Color, 4,500 miles. Excellent and all fluids replaced. This bike is in museum quality condition. $6,500. condition or could be ridden daily. $9500US. Bill Birchfield Jim Crews 704.617.1835 [email protected]
1967 MotoGuzzi 125 Sport 1973 Laverda SF2 750 Silver, excellent original condition with only Excellent Fireburst orange, very nice original 900 orig miles, runs great, no damage or condition, 35k, fresh topend, excellent cosmetic and rust, titled - $2200. mechanical condition - $4500. Pictures at www.bradsbikes.net Pictures at www.bradsbikes.net Brad Powell, Marietta, Georgia Brad Powell, Marietta, Georgia 678.576.4258 678.576.4258
1991 Ducati 851 SP3 #216 2002 Moto Guzzi Lemans 1100 6 miles New out of box in June 2004. Never Champagne color. New gel battery. 3,500 started. Perfect Condition. $25,000. Photos miles. Excellent condition. $7,500 OBO. available upon request. Bill Birchfield Bryson Stephens [email protected] [email protected] (704) 617-1835 205-956-6693
1985 Moto Guzzi Lemans 1000 White/red, all original with 19k miles, excellent cosmetics and runs great, 18’ front wheel-$3500, vintage trades considered, pictures at: www. bradsbikes.net Brad Powell, Marietta, Georgia 678.576.4258
www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 Tom Rolland • 2808 Prenda de Oro NW • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120 email: [email protected] • http://www.pacificnet.net/~ehotchkiss/buckles/
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Story on page 8...
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com THE FIRST ANNUAL MOTOGP JAM
The good news was that the MotoGP was TVs, a continental breakfast, a BBQ lunch, returning to America after an eleven-year door prizes, and lots of track time. We had absence. The bad news for us on the East 103 riders pre-registered, and most of them Coast was that Barber Motorsports did not managed to stay on two wheels. The real treat get the contract. Leguna Seca did. Money, was that Larry was able to do all this and time, distance, still have $3,000 left over and several other to donate to Road Racing factors combined to World Action Fund for Air prevent me from even Fences. considering a trip to California for this After a full day of riding on momentous event. the track, we adjourned to Larry Haber of BMW- the air-conditioned tent to Ducati of Charlotte enjoy some cold drinks and had an idea, and, snacks. The real excitement scary as it may seem, came as we got to watch it was actually a very American Nicky Hayden’s good one! J Just first win of a MotoGP race, don’t tell Larry I said and in front of his home so or it might go to crowd!! It was truly a his head. fantastic day! All of us left the track with a smile on Larry called several our faces. companies and organizations to see if they could assist in putting on a MotoGP Jam for those of us stuck on the East Coast. Red Bull, Parts Unlimited, Ducati North America, BMW- Ducati of Charlotte, and US DESMO all agreed to help in some way--either financially or in support functions. Larry’s efforts yielded an air-conditioned tent with six big-screen
www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 !PPALACHIAN 4OURS ()34/2)#!, s 30/24 ")+% s 6).4!'% *ÀÛ`}ÊÌÀVÞViÊëÀÌÊÌÕÀ}ÊÊ>Ê °9°"° °ÊLÀ}ÊÞÕÀÊÜÊLi®ÊL>ÃÃÊ i`ÊLÞÊ À>}ÊÕiÞ]Ê>Ê ÀÌ Ê >À>Ê>ÌÛiÊÜÌ Ê>Ê«>ÃÃÊvÀÊLÌ ÊÀ`}Ê ÕÌ>ÊÀ>`ÃÊ>`ÊiÝ«À}Ê ÃÌÀÞ° ÀÌ Ê >À>]Ê6À}>]Ê7iÃÌÊ6À}>]Ê/iiÃÃii]Ê iÌÕVÞ]ÊiÀ}>Ê -iiÊÕÀÊÜiLÃÌiÊvÀÊÀiÊ`iÌ>ÃÊÀÊ}ÛiÊÕÃÊ>ÊV>°Ê ÕÃÌÊ«>V>}iÃÊVLi`ÊÜÌ ÊÌÀ>VÊ`>ÞÃÊ>Û>>Li°
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SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com Specialized motorcycle service, repair and restoration including performance tuning, track day and race prep. Factory trained technicians for Ducati, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia. Complete up-to-date Ducati factory tools for diagnosis and tuning. Factory and aftermarket parts and performance parts for suspensions, exhaust systems, engine internals, engine management, wheels and tires, comfort enhancements, and more. Also offering service for all European and Japanese bikes, and older and vintage motorcycles including Ducati singles and twins, BMW, BSA, Norton, Triumph and Laverda. Mark P. Gillotte Owner 803.333.9679 Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday thru Saturday. Sunday by appointment only. www.moto-gizmo.com 1700 Alta Vista Drive, Suite 200, Columbia, South Carolina 29223 • GPS: 34.03.205N 080.58.995W
10 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 The sweet, melodic sound of a Ducati…
Read the story of the Ducati guitar on page 12...
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 11 The sweet, melodic sound of a Ducati…
by Tom Truskolaski …Guitar, that is. Is Ducati in the guitar sorely disappointed not to have my precious business? No, but if they were, they would Duc with me. I met up with Ken Davis have built something very similar to this. This in Winchester, Virginia, and we trailered guitar is so appropriately called the “999.” together to Americade. My drive took me from Its Testastretta decals and performance logo Radford, Virginia, to Scranton, Pennsylvania, are clear-coated in the custom Ducati-red as my first stop was to meet with Sean to pick paint, and the headstock is embossed with up the finished product. Sean regretfully told the Ducati logo. This technique, being very me it wasn’t finished. He just kept putting it difficult to do, was carefully crafted by an off and off until the last minute. He did say it artist named Sean Philbin. was nearing completion, but he wasn’t sure I would have it by the time I left for Americade. This guitar was conceived back in March of this year. As I am a long-time guitar player Tuesday came, and sure enough I headed and have an affinity for Ducati motorcycles, for New York without the instrument. I was it clicked. With a box of high-quality parts feeling a little down but not out, as I was just sitting around waiting to be assembled, going to see friends that get together perhaps I contacted Sean about the idea. I shipped twice a year but always for our yearly ritual him the bodywork and gave him some ideas in the Adirondack Mountains. Lifelong of what I wanted. I told him I would be in friendships were made here and continue to the area come June, as I was headed to the thrive as our passion for motorcycles keeps Americade Rally in Lake George, New York. us all together. For twelve years running, I Sean responded, “No problem, plenty of time,” have attended this wonderful place in upstate or so I thought. New York. These guys are some of the best friends that I could ever ask for. And the Once Sean received the package, I let him riding there—what is understood doesn’t need be. I didn’t want to call on him, as he was to be discussed. I know many of you have busy and three months left plenty of time for similar stories of bonding with friends and completion. So I spent some time gathering motorcycles that will last a lifetime. It’s truly the bits that I needed to complete the project what makes this sport so wonderful. once Sean was done. I bought a Paul Reed Smith pickup to replace the old EMG that The weather cooperated perfectly without was in the box. I replaced the old volume any rain, although temperatures topped 90 and tone controls that would have definitely degrees and included all the humidity. But we caused an issue with noise in the system. The didn’t let that deter our good time. Thursday input jack was even replaced with a gold- came around, and, much to my surprise, Sean anodized one. Nice touch, I thought. I used showed up with the Ducati guitar all shiny the old Hamer tuning gears and the very and polished. It was quite a nice surprise to competent Floyd Rose tremolo system. cap off another outstanding year in upstate New York. June arrived, and I set out with my truck and trailer with my BMW GS motorcycle in Philbin’s Body and Paint Shop is located in the back, as I had blown the engine a month Scranton, Pennsylvania, the heart of the before on my 916 at a Corner Speed track anthracite-coal-mining region. Sean paints day at VIR. The Northeast US Desmo faction motorcycles, cars, boats, and guitars and can was having a ride on that Friday, and I was be reached at 570-346-2161.
12 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION’S VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS Featured Marque Ducati Last year, several of us went to the AMA of the hill in the infield. Kristina Snyder was Vintage Motorcycle Days to see what it would already there and was busy setting up the tents be like. Word on the street was that Ducati and easy-ups for the rally headquarters. Right would be the featured brand for 2005, and we across the dirt road from Rally headquarters were trying to get a handle on what it would was DesmOhio and down to the left was take to help make that happen. All right, it was MADOG (Mid-America Ducati Owners Group). an excuse for a road trip! Six days and 1,900 US DESMO was in good company. miles later (who says you cannot tour on a Ducati 900 SS?), we knew where we would be in Friday, the crowds started to arrive in earnest. July 2005! A trip down to the Ducati Museum tent showed they were not totally ready for visitors, but if For 2005, I had to drive my car to help at the the bikes that were there were any indication, Ducati Rally booth and be prepared to showcase this was going to be quite a showcase of our club along with various other Desmo Ducatis. The title “Zero to 999” gives you Owners Clubs. I did trailer up my 1998 Ducati an idea what was in store for us. Of course 916 to have for riding around there were the Cucciolo, and for leading the Saturday Mariana, Monza, and other group ride. I also brought along famous singles from the a very large cooler filled with early period of Ducati, but bags of potato chips. No, they what was amazing was the did not need to be kept cool, but display of pre-war Ducati Ducati North America wanted products. Many do not a large cooler realize that Ducati got into and donations the motorcycle business only for the potluck at the behest of the Italian dinner government to help stimulate Saturday the economy with inexpensive transportation. night. It just Before WWII, they were Ducati Electronica made sense and made things like radios, radio parts, to use the cameras, and electric shavers. There was cooler to keep even a Ducati outboard motor! I went to the the chips tent three times over the weekend and took from being over 100 pictures! I was impressed. crushed by all the other things in the car. A few of my friends who were riding up came by Back up on the hill where Ducati Rally Central and dropped off a few changes of clothes so they was located, things started to pick up. Those could travel lighter. who pre-registered got a nice T-shirt and goody bag. Those who showed up later to register got The weather on Thursday morning was not very some of these items if there were any left. What inviting, and the weather forecast for the entire really stood out was all the Ducatis parked in weekend had rain probability higher than 60% the rain next to tents. This was a real Ducati for all four days of the rally. This was not what rally, with riders coming long distances and I had hoped for, but at least it made me feel a still camping. Common knowledge would tell little better about driving rather than riding you only BMW and Moto Guzzi riders would up. I headed straight for the track and got there do such a thing. It made me proud to see the shortly after lunch. I got my ticket at the gate number of Ducati fans who showed up despite and headed for Ducati Rally Central at the top Continued on page 16...
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 13 14 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 PMS 185 RED PMS 2945 BLUE PMS 342 GREEN PMS 187 DK RED PMS 115 GOLD PMS BLK
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 15 the weather to see the racing and the museum Engineering Director Gianluigi Mengoli, as and to participate in the rally. well as many others whose names I cannot remember. DesmOhio provided Ohio corn (what Mid-Saturday morning, we formed a little else did you expect?), and it was the best corn group of intrepid Ducatisti and headed out for on the cob I have had in a long time. There is a a ride in the Ohio countryside. It was hot and rumor I ate five ears, but don’t believe it. The humid. The sky looked like it would rain at any festivities lasted late into the night, but I did minute, but we set out anyway. Our ride group not stay that late. I do not see all that well at was about fifteen strong and hopeful for a nice night any more and wanted to get back to the ride. What we found was that if the road was hotel before it got completely dark. straight, then it was dry and you had to follow an SUV. But if the road had nice turns and no Sunday morning when I returned, you could see traffic, then it was wet—wet enough to see a some very full trash cans. It was clear by the rooster tail off the tire of the bike in front of volume of beverage containers that a good time you! We did stop on a picturesque road at a dam was had by all. The rally really started to wind and took some pictures. On our return trip, it down as tents were being folded and mounted started to darken up, so we picked up the pace on the bikes. I did get to walk through the pits and made it back to the track entrance still dry and see the vintage race bikes. AHRMA has and happy. The problem was that it was still expanded their racing classes, and some very almost a half mile in heavy traffic once you get modern Ducati twins were out there racing. I inside the track to make it back to Ducati Rally never did make it past the pits and on to the Central. It is amazing how wet you can get in swap-meet section. Based on the amount of such a short trip! money friends were spending there, it was most likely a very good thing. Part of the rally package was several door- prize tickets. Would you believe I won? When I The weather for the rally was not all that good. went to see what I had won, it was a free pass It was hot and very humid. It would rain and to a US DESMO rally! Seeing as that is our the temperature would drop only a little, but own club and I attend all the rallies anyway, the humidity would go through the ceiling. It I passed on it and let someone else have that was even uncomfortable in the mornings. It door prize. Maybe I will have better luck with was hotter back in North Carolina, but the the lottery. The good news was that someone in humidity was a lot less and it was more easily South Carolina won the free US DESMO track tolerated. During my drive back, I was rained day, so it will be put to good use. on hard several times, and I was glad that I was in the car. What a wonderful event. I am Saturday night was the potluck dinner for the so glad Ducati North America got involved with Ducati clubs. Each club and member was asked this event and got out with the masses who buy to supply part of the dinner. It worked out their bikes. It showed willingness on their part fine, and we even had leftovers! It was Vicki to support their customers and the club concept. Smith’s (Ducati Online) birthday, and she was It also allowed them an opportunity to meet the presented a large cake with what looked like Ducatisti and see what they were doing to their more than 21 candles. I was sure she said she bikes and what problems or needs they had. was only 21? J Happy Birthday was sung to her The closer these two groups become, the more by the large group led by none other than the closely Ducati’s products will reflect what we famous Ducati tuner Reno Leoni and Ducati’s want.
16 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 53 $%3-/ $ESMO /WNERS #LUB -EMBERSHIP !PPLICATION2ENEWAL
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SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 17 Welcome to Barber Motorsports Park!
Peter Friedland’s Flying Duck
Photos by Albert Hicks
18 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 We hope you enjoyed your day!
Photos by Albert Hicks
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 19 Darmah Dramas Part III: Florida Sojourn by Craig Hunley Alone. I felt alone. It was the final Sunday and only three blocks north from the pier. of Bike Week, and everybody was leaving With a price that cheap, you can imagine the Daytona. The 200, the big motorcycle race Bike quality of the accommodations. However, all the Week grew up around, had been postponed roaches were dead, and Charles and I became so due to rain that would not stop. All the Bike enamored with the “charm” of the place that we Week festivities were over. Italian Bike Night stayed there for years to come. Needing shelter, was over. The Wood’s Auction was over. The I headed for the motel. manufacturers’ tents were closed. Calandro, my travel partner, had taken off two days earlier to The weatherman called this kind of winter return to North Carolina. Everyone had cleared coastal storm a “nor’easter.” My room was out of Bulow Campground on Sunday morning. beachfront and included a view of the Daytona The last person I knew had just left Daytona Beach pier. The nor’easter was significant International Speedway. Now it was just me, enough that the Weather Channel sent a the rain, and a bike that would not start. reporter to Daytona. I could look out the window, see the weather channel reporting from I geared up, put the key in the ignition, hit the beach in front of the pier, turn on the TV, the starter, and nothing happened. Did I and see the same reporter talking. It rained mention that it was raining? Did I mention that hard for 36 hours, and most of the rain was everyone I knew had already gone? The track horizontal. As a result, DIS announced the 200 was fast emptying of all human life except for was postponed until the following weekend. the “ever-helpful” DIS security personnel. It probably took me 20 minutes of wondering what I spent the day and a half of rain reading the to do next before I checked the kill switch. Of history of racing at Daytona. Daytona, the course, that was the problem, and the Darmah World Center of Racing, the Birthplace of started right up. Speed. Whether you like Daytona or not, you have to respect the tradition of motorsports in I needed to go somewhere to get out of the the town. Speed records were set on the beach weather. There was a sleazy little motel on at Daytona before the first motorcycle races the beach at Daytona that a buddy and I had were held on the Isle of Man. Daytona was discovered one year when at the 24 Hours of hosting record speed attempts a decade before Daytona. Charles and I had preceded the rest the first Indianapolis 500. LeMans, Monaco, of our group for the annual pilgrimage to the and all the other great European races were big sports car endurance race. We rode down still years away. For this reason, Daytona Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach looking for a holds a certain reverent position among room, saw a little motel, stopped in, and asked knowledgeable motorsports fans. the proprietor how much for a night. He quoted $17 for one person and $19 for two. This motel Before leaving Daytona, I had some business to was on the beachfront in downtown Daytona complete. My marriage separation papers had
20 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 finally been completed. In order to avoid a delay and drainage canals were on both sides of the in their execution, I had the documents sent highway. Airboats and old tires were on the to a Mail Boxes Etc. in Daytona. Mail Boxes canal banks. Wait a minute. Those are not provided me with a notary and a way to return discarded tires. Those are alligators. From a the documents. It was all I needed to complete moving motorcycle, the texture and color of the transaction. For years I bragged about alligators on the banks looks like old tires. finalizing my divorce at the World Center of Racing, the Birthplace of Speed. After the Everglades, I rode to Key West, the southernmost point in the United States. It While at Mail Boxes, I also shipped my camping was a pleasurable ride down the Keys in warm, gear home. It was too troublesome to pack and temperate weather. Near Marathon there was unpack all the camping gear each day. After the a loud clunk. The clunk was the Darmah’s nor’easter soaked my sleeping bag, I decided to center stand dropping to the road. Every day use motels for the rest of the trip. something happened to the motorcycle. Small, repairable, or non-essential things broke. Before the storm, camping at Bulow Camp- Maybe a light would burn out or a cable would ground had been fun. The temperatures come loose, but daily there was some issue approached record lows for the date, but that that required attention. This forced me to be did not slow the huge gathering of bikers. resourceful and deal with the problems. Today’s Entertainment went well into the night. The issue was the center stand falling off. choices were either watching burnouts or wet T-shirt contests. Also while at Bulow, I “fall Key West was hopping with activity. Spring tested” the Darmah. Trying to ride off without break had started, and the college students remembering to remove a disk lock just doesn’t were in town. I felt a bit out of place but work. Fortunately, the soft sand of the camp- lingered around long enough to take an ground caught the Darmah without any damage. ultralight plane ride over the ocean. Technically it was a lesson, not a ride. Apparently there was The rain had stopped, and my business a law against taking passengers on ultralight was completed. I had five days before the rides for profit. The local entrepreneurs rescheduled Daytona 200 was to be held. It was circumvented the law by taking people up for time to explore. The first stop was Personal lessons instead. The ultralight flight was worth Cycle Service. Having heard of Tony Foster doing just for the view down through the clear and PCS, I went there and visited while Tony and colorful Caribbean waters. changed the Darmah’s oil. Tony had a shop full of Italian eye candy, including several bevel- With the weekend approaching, it was time drives. Right beside PCS was Willi’s Museum. to leave South Florida and return to Daytona It is too bad this museum is now closed. Willi’s for the rescheduled 200. I spent the night at a was not the equal of the Barber museum, but it Miami motel on the way back up the Atlantic had an impressive collection of rare, old Italian Coast. In the morning, I placed my saddlebags motorcycles. beside the bike and walked into the motel office to grab a bagel. My plan was to eat the bagel After leaving Daytona, the Darmah and I while strapping on the saddlebags, but the traversed Florida to visit Syd’s Cycles in St. saddlebags disappeared! In 60 seconds some Petersburg. Syd’s was and remains one of the low life had stolen my luggage. He got my dirty few shops that focuses on bevel-drive Ducatis. clothes, toiletries, books, eyeglasses, and a They gave me a free T-shirt for visiting. From rainsuit. The thief got nothing of marketable St. Pete, it was down the Gulf Coast of Florida value, but lots of stuff that I needed. I was to Naples and Marco Island. Then I traveled furious, but after talking to the police decided back across Florida by riding through the there was little that could be done. At least my Everglades toward Miami. tank bag and riding gear were not missing too.
The trip through the Everglades on the The next stop was Ft. Lauderdale and Action Tamiami Trail was different. Marsh grasses Sport Cycles. There I bought some Ducati-logo
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 21 wear to replace some of the clothes the thief got. again. I pulled into a convenience store and After leaving Action Sport Cycles, I was stopped while there filled up with gas. After filling up, at a waterway waiting for the drawbridge to the bike would not start. What was it? come down. A guy beside me in a convertible Benz struck up a conversation. He said, “While I suspected the plugs were fouling due to the you are looking around, you should go a few bike’s 400-mile-to-the-quart appetite for oil. miles down the coast road and check out the Naïve as I was, I had failed to pack a spark plug nude beach.” Okay, why not? Never been to a wrench. The convenience store was the only nude beach before. I am willing to bet the nude place at the interchange, and they had nothing sunbathers never saw a guy walking down to offer. But wait, there was a dirt bike rider their beach in leathers before either. Most playing in a field across the street. He probably entertaining! had a tool kit on his bike. So I went chasing off after him, but the Due to the guy never turned distractions of the around, and he could day, it was late not hear my yells over when I left the his smoking engine. I Ft. Lauderdale never have liked the area. Before long, sound of two-strokes. it was dark, and I had many more Back to the drama at miles to travel. the Darmah. What to Still, I felt good. do next? Drink a Coke The Darmah and contemplate. Hit was eating up the starter one more the interstate. time just in case... and We should make the Darmah fires up. Daytona that night. Daytona was familiar Wonderful! Somebody up there does love me. ground. After touring Florida, returning to Hastily, I geared up while making sure not to Daytona felt like going home. Two thousand let the engine die, and off we went. The bike ran miles of riding were behind me. Things had fine the rest of the night on the way to Daytona. been soaked in rain, things had broken, things What the problem had been I will never know. had fallen off, and things had been stolen, but My guess is it was all about learning humility. the Darmah and I were still rolling up the highway. I felt confident. Then the Darmah The next morning, the first stop was at a parts started losing power. house for a plug wrench and fresh spark plugs. Then on to Daytona International Speedway It was on an undeveloped portion of interstate to watch the 200 and its colorful supporting north of Cape Canaveral when the Darmah activities. The paddock was bustling with last- started losing power. The bike felt like it was minute race-team preparations and umbrella running out of gas. Slowly it lost speed. I turned girls. Ferracci was still competing with a Ducati the petcocks to reserve. No change. I moved race team, and that gave me someone to pull to the shoulder of the road and tried to keep for. Scott Russell won of course. Duhamel was moving hoping to make it to the next exit. The second. Between the parade lap and the race engine died. I fiddled with the petcocks some there had been a short delay. A number of more. The engine would not restart. There the riders took advantage of the opportunity was no exit or anything else in sight, and it to make a quick run to the restroom. Pascal was dark. Quite humbling. I did not feel very Picotte was a little less patient than the others confident anymore. I hit the starter again, and and just ran behind a palm tree to relieve the Darmah fired up. himself.
By the time I got to the first available exit off When the race was over, I headed north toward the interstate, the Darmah was losing power home. Rainy weather was again moving
22 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 23 in, and the thief in Miami had my rainsuit. before denying me this important information. Fortunately, I had good friends in Savannah Every day there had been some challenge, but who took me in. By Monday, I was ready the Darmah provided what was necessary to get to continue traveling home, but it was still me home. raining. Of course, most motorcycle shops are closed on Mondays. That Monday, the only open The 2700-mile trip on this old Italian motor- motorcycle business in Savannah was a Harley cycle was more than a trip to Daytona. It was Davidson shop. I bought the cheapest rainsuit a rite of passage into motorcycling. It was a they had and put up with the Harley logo for development of self-sufficiency and a restoration several years before trashing it. of confidence after a failed marriage. It was a bonding of man and motorcycle. Never ever in On the way back to Charlotte and when almost the succeeding years has the Darmah failed home, the Darmah’s tachometer failed. Since to bring me home. Components fail regularly, the speedometer cable had already failed, there but the Darmah gets me there. There are six was no way to determine my speed. The timing bikes in the garage. I love them all, but if I had of the tach breakage seemed appropriate. The to get down to just one bike, it would be the Darmah waited until the trip was almost over Darmah. Postscript: After returning from Florida, the author’s love affair with Italian motorcycles has continued to flourish. Now, nine years later, he operates Appalachian Tours, which offers vintage- bike tours of the southeastern mountains.
BENCH RACING continued from page 28... left and off the track. Rider number four made appears they were all waiting for the first the left but never turned right and continued off person to brake so they could out-brake him! into the infield. Somehow I had just passed four riders by letting them out-brake me for a turn! Now things were really getting interesting. Not a bad day’s work if you can get it. The first rider did not even lean the bike over but just headed for a space between the hay The next day when I looked at the local paper, bales and stopped inside the upper part of there was rider number two as he passed the chicane. The second rider tried to lean for through the hay bales. You can see the hay the turn but gave up after a few yards and bales exploding and the bike making its way to then went for the hay bales. Unfortunately for the infield. And there in front of the bike, him there were no more slots; the hay bales sitting just like he was still on it, is the rider. exploded, and he disappeared from view in a The problem is, he is still traveling at some haze of flying straw! The third rider did a little velocity, with his feet and arms pointing better and made most of the turn before striking forward just like they were still on the pegs and the hay with his right side and then careening handlebars!
Schedule of Remaining Events for 2005 September 30-October 2 Ducks Fly South (DFS) Rally - Hiawassee, Georgia. Monday, October 17 Track Day - Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, South Carolina. Monday, November 21 Track Day - Roebling Road, Savannah, Georgia. Summer 2005 (Dates and Location TBA) — Track Days, New Hampshire International Speedway - NH Pocono Track Days — (Dates TBA), Pennsylvania
24 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 MINI MOTOby Mike Porter (as told to888 Jim Calandro) For the past twenty years, “TWO”—Two Wheels Next came the careful process of stuffing this Only—has hosted a 50-cc rally in its Suches, new 90-degree V-twin into a frame it was never Georgia location. It started out as a small intended to occupy. A new exhaust system had gathering of mini bikes and scooters, but over to be fabricated and installed. Again, nothing the years it progressed and became a fundraiser like this gets done right the first time, so it for the local volunteer fire department. Riders must be done over and over. After a careful would seek sponsors to help contribute money check to make sure everything was assembled for the fire department while they made their correctly and was in working order, it was 75-mile run through the hills of north Georgia. time for the big test. Would it start? I fired the Because this event is timed to occur about the motor, and when it cranked and then ran, I same time as Halloween, riders began wearing could not contain myself! I jumped for joy! Many costumes. Even Elvis has made an appearance! hours and dreams had come to fruition. How could I not be excited? As the years and the event have progressed, many of the participants began to customize Now comes the hard part: all the details. This their bikes in order to try to make them is that period when you are so close yet so far resemble bigger bikes that they either owned or from the goal. Patience gets harder to maintain wished they owned. Not being immune to this, I as time marches on. The carburetors and timing began to think that my Yamaha YSR 50 needed must be fine-tuned and everything assembled to change its look. Being the proud owner of and placed in the right location to make it a 1993 Ducati 888, there was really only one look like its inspiration. My goal is to have it way for me to go. My first attempt was strictly finished and ready to display at “Ducati Corner” cosmetic as I painted the little Yamaha a nice at the Road Atlanta AMA Superbike race. I shade of Ducati red, blacked out the wheels, and hope you can stop by and see my creation if you added a white number plate. The results were make it to the race. great, but there was something lacking: the Ducati sound! The process was not complete. This article was written by Jim Calandro as told to him by Mike Porter. After a few years of running the two-stroke motor, the big decision was reached that a Mike is a long-term motorcycle fanatic and lives suitable four-stroke motor needed to be found. in Mobile, Alabama. In the 48 years he has A couple of Honda 70-cc motors were located, been riding, he has owned over 400 motorcycles! and after a long and hard inspection it appeared Currently he has 16 bikes, including a 1981 this “Frankenbike” could be made. A mini V- Ducati, 1949 BMW R-24, Hercules rotary, twin was in the planning stages. After some 1958 Moto Guzzi, several other Ducks, and an more detailed planning, the cases were cut, Ariel Leader. Mike retired two years ago and machined, and welded to form the basis of this apparently has way too much time on his hands. motor. Next the crank needed to be machined This mini is quite a tribute to Ducati. It is nice and fitted to make the 90-degree V-twin motor. to know Mike is getting in some serious riding Many assemblies and disassemblies later, now that he is retired, and he recently completed things started to look like they would work. It a road trip to Pennsylvania that included an 18- was beginning to come together! This motor hour jaunt of 1,260 miles! Mike still does some has been together and apart so many times, motorcycle powder coating and is a full-time you would swear it has a number-50 zipper tinkerer. installed! J Turn the page to see the pictures...
SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 25 THE MINI MOTO 888 PROJECT
26 www.USDESMO.com SUMMER 2005 SUMMER 2005 www.USDESMO.com 27 Bench Racing Tall tales of fact and “friction”
DAYTONA By il Capo Jim Calandro Daytona is one of those tracks that for It took my second time around and all my some reason has more pulling power to it courage to hold the throttle open, and the than any other place I have been. It is not a faster I went, the better it looked. After a few technical track and usually horsepower is the practice sessions, we lined up for our race. determining factor, but the banking has such a They did not trust the amateurs to start on seductive nature that who can resist? Way back pit road and make the pit-road entrance onto in my midlife I had the obligatory crisis and the track, so instead they started us on an decided to race. Now I have always thought it access road that led into the straight that was a coincidence that Kenny Roberts retired leads to the International Horseshoe. The that year, but who knows? flag dropped, and away we went. I managed a fantastic unintentional wheelie that ensured I started out at small regional tracks, but when my mid-pack position. We started to settle into I heard I could get onto the track at Daytona, a pecking order that was mostly determined I signed up. It was impressive enough to just by horsepower. I ended up in a group of five be there, but to actually be allowed past the similar bikes: four Suzukis like mine and a pit fence and then the pit wall was way out Kawasaki. there. In my first practice session, we went out into the infield, and, getting caught up in Everything was fine until we were on the back the concentration of the track, I did not even straight heading for the chicane. I was the last think about how we were going to get up onto of five bikes and was marveling at the view of the banking. As we made the last left from our freight train. As we approached the brake the infield, there it was. It looked like we were markers for the chicane, I noticed my speed was going to run into a wall! over 130 mph; I had only seen 125 mph in my practice sessions as I had been running alone. I just gritted my teeth, and, after the heart- Now it occurred to me that I was unsure of my stopping bump in the middle of the turn, I braking point at this speed. It also dawned on made the transition onto the banking. It is a me that I had even less of an idea where the sharp jolt, but the little 550 Suzuki I was riding rider in front of me would brake! As we passed was not all that fast—neither am I for that the first brake marker, I decided I would move matter—and the transition was OK. Now came to his right a little so I could see his right hand the exciting part. The banking is 31 degrees, and make sure we braked together. and I am told you cannot stand on it as it is too steep. Entering the banking at 80-mph, you During all this planning, I noticed that the need a lean for that speed and radius of turn number THREE brake marker had just passed that is not 31 degrees. The problem is, you now by. Now this may not mean much to you or the have an artificial horizon that makes it appear rider in front of me, but it was my marker for that you are leaning right in a left-hand turn. 125 mph! I decided I did not know what anyone For some reason, it is hard for your brain to else was going to do, but I was out of here. I sat accept this and furthermore communicate the up and grabbed my front brake lever. Funny command to accelerate to your right hand! thing, so did everyone else in front of me. It Continued on page 24...
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